Under the picnic table: The home of a female 14 year old Golden Retriever who lived isolated in this backyard around the corner from me twenty four hours a day.
The water container was filled with algae.
Although this was provided, it was not insulated and the Golden preferred to live under the picnic table. She was fed but otherwise received no protection from fleas and had developed a miserable skin condition. Fortunately, the owner's friend talked him into giving her to me, and I give both individuals enormous credit for that. After a bath, and a visit to the vet she was given a clean bill of health all things considered and placed in a loving, attentive, warm home with another Golden Retriever who follows her around like she is his mother. The owner paid for her medical treatment.
Here she is, content and safe and loved and beautiful.
Unfortunately, I have another neighbor nearby who for the most part, until I intervened, kept this young boy in this cage for the better part of 23 hours a day.
He lived outside in this open carport with this beautiful Yellow Lab, also 14 years old, also for the better part of 24 hours a day. She has lived like this for years. Her only additional shelter was the open, uninsulated laundry room behind her.
I originally offered temporary help in the form of a 10 by 10 foot kennel for the younger, male dog and this was accepted but after seeing the long-term lack of medical care of the Yellow Lab due to severe flea allergies I offered to both pay for her medical care and to take her into my home but all efforts were refused. The owner claims to love both animals despite the obvious neglect of medical care and basic attention. Over time I have come to know other neighbors have complained to the owner through out the years of their concerns as well. In the end, the owner was forced to provide one-time medical attention due to Animal Control intervention. Sadly, she had not received any medical care since 2006. The younger dog originally belonged to the owner's adult son, a business owner here on Saint Simons Island, who, by omission, is as guilty of animal neglect as his mother. He has been shown these photographs.
The profits from Bella Rustica Market have provided this Yellow Lab with additional shelter in the form of an insulated kennel/pad and fresh cedar. I have made subsequent offers to take both dogs and keep them until I could place them in homes equal to mine, if not mine, but the owner has refused. After sharing these photographs with her, she has simply moved the Yellow Lab out of the open carport to an even less sheltered side yard. She at least has the kennel I provided.
Please leave a polite comment here for the owner asking her to re-consider allowing both dogs the care and dignity they deserve as I will guarantee their care.
Please forward.
Thank you.
This breaks my heart. I cannot believe the neglect. I am happy that these animals have someone like you to be their advocate. I pray this woman sees what is best for them and complies.
ReplyDeleteDear Kim,
ReplyDeleteI pray that the owners see the light and allow you and others to help them with the care of these beautiful animals.
They deserve to live a long and happy life and with your help, that may happen.
If they truly love their pets, they will welcome the help that is being offered...we all need a little help now and then...no shame in that.
Janet xox
For the sake of these sweet animals I would hope that the owner would at least get medical attention for both dogs. You can't claim to love a pet that you are neglecting and not caring for. Good luck with your efforts. Unfortunately neglet is rampant in this country. Our news is airing a story tonight. Until people start spaying and nutering their pets the problems will continue.
ReplyDeleteDear Kim,
ReplyDeleteI dog is not simply a solitary animal but a member of a pack. The pack leader, in this case the dogs owner, is responsible for the entire packs health and well being, providing shelter from the heat and cold. Leading the pack to fresh water and providing water but above all the pack leader provides companionship and love.
My prayer is simply, that these two dogs be allowed to live in a pack where they are loved and well cared for.
KA
Cara Kim,
ReplyDeleteI wish I leaved closer.....
I will post on my FB and forward the e-mail to my friends. I hope your neighbor will let you help her. Ciao Rita
I am praying for these two precious dogs, as the owner of a golden for 14 .5 years it breaks my heart to see this. love takes courage,
ReplyDeleteto the owner of these animals please do the courageous thing, and allow your animals to live a better life. It is not the easiest decision but it the best way to show how much you love them by putting them first.
As much as it may hurt, you will be glad you did.
Dear Kim... it breaks my heart to see these sweet dogs neglected so ,..when there are such simple and easy methods that takr very little time and money to erradicate.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 Golden Retrivers ..each I have had since they were both 6 weeks old. By Choice we made them indoor animals. Which was a huge change in an animal free home we had had all our lives. Our home changed and of course there was dog hair no matter how much you cleaned. muddy paws when it rained on the rug, water bowl slobbers and messy food pans from excited eating ..but we loved them through it all and just cleaned behind them as we went just like you do with kiddos.
Our oldes scout is now 16.5 yrs old according to the vet 108 yrs old. She can no longer be an indoor dog because she needs out 10 to 12 times a night for potty breaks and we tried getting up with her but became rum dummy from no sleep night after night. Putting her out after 15 yrs inside was the hardest thing we had to do. But we have improvised good warm wool bedding for her. We dress her in a heavy sweatshirt in the cold ..and even last night as we knew there was rain headed our way and she had no dog house ..we put up a folding table for her then covered it with one of my side panels for my pop up tent and opened an ovesized umbrella in front of the opening to keep her dry in the night. and it all worked this morning she is dry and happy as a lark. Simple inexpensive fix to take care of her in her older years.
Our second Goldie Maggie is 14.5 ..she's still indoors however she is dyeing of mouth cancer. She has a massive tumor growing ou thr front of her mouth. It bleeds out at least once a day.. leaving the rug stained or the tile messy ..but we clean up as it happens. Her head has lost muscle mass her body weight is gone by at least a 1/3 .. BUT ...she still eats ..she still wags her tail ...she is still happy. She was given 2 to 4 months to live ..4 months have passed and she still is going strong today. I talked to the vets office yesterday asking here we are at 4 months ..we were told this was the most agressive cancer and yet shes's still going is this normal. The vet told us she is so loved and so well cared for that her will to live is overpowering the cancer and she is hanging on. How good that feels to know she knows we love her that much.
All this to say .. it hasn't been hardwork to care for them. A pat on the head ..a hug to the neck .. a bath every month or so. 2 square meals a day ..and a trip to the vet just when we saw there was something amiss. Animals are pretty easy to love and care for. So why in the world have them if you can't give these few simple things to them. If you have them and just can't give that to them for any reason ..your not a bad person ..but do the animal a justice and let someone who can have them ..that will truly make you a great person to see that where you are unable to provide that someone else can. Admitting we can't do something or maybe just choose not to do it ..Makes you a pretty big person in my book ..not a bad person. We all have our callings in life and maybe your neighbor just doesn't have the calling for animals and that's o.k. if she would just admit it and give them to someone who does.
Hoping she reads this and makes the right decision to be a Great perons in this life !
Blessings ..Sara
Dear Goodness.. this is so difficult to see.I pray that the owner can be open to receiving your support for giving this dear dog the dignity to live a normal life.
ReplyDeleteTo the Owner of the 2 dogs whom Kim Kelly is endeavoring to help:
ReplyDeleteAs a Golden Isles resident, animal lover and pet-sitter, I am concerned that anyone would permit their pets to lack frequent veterinary care, and with cold weather upon us, to be housed inappropriately for the weather conditions. Kim has made a generous offer to take over the care of your dogs and find them loving homes. It seems obvious that they need more care than you are able to give them, so I encourage you to accept Kim's kindness, and improve the situation for these wonderful animals.
Carol
Heartbreaking pictures,,when I see things like this, I often wonder what makes a person treat a pet this way. You have the biggest heart Kim, and I hope things work out for these dogs. I would be so sad to know that they had to live out their final years in this way. My wish is the owner will do the right thing.
ReplyDelete-nancy
This is very disturbing and brings a tear down my face. Animals want nothing more than to please and love. Please open up your eyes and heart to Kim who will comfort these beautiful animals,
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Laurie
Kimmie,
ReplyDeleteThe story and the animals' reality is beyond sad... Your heart is so big and your advocacy for animals (especially dogs) is inspiring. I hope you can rescue those two and find them happy and HEALTHY homes...
xo
Bethie
Good luck on getting this dog into a better situation. You're doing a good thing. That's how they're saved, one dog at a time.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Cathy
I know exactly what you have been doing and trying to accomplish for the last several months in regards to these dogs. Your tireless advocacy is amazing. I am hopeful that all the attention being brought upon the situation will make the woman realize and understand that her dogs do NOT have to live they way they have been living. You have generously offered to find them new homes. I pray she can see this.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tamerie
Dear Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat you are doing for these dogs is admirable. Don't ever lose the passion!
Each dog is an individual with feelings, not a personal possession. I'm hoping your neighbor will do the right thing, have a heart and give these dogs a chance to live their lives out being loved.
You are amazing and those dogs are lucky to have you as their advocate.
xox, Cordelia
A dog has no voice and our perception of their silence can vary. They can't say, "I am lonely, I am hungry, I am cold, my skin hurts, please help me." They are here to teach us to have empathy and take notice to what we can do. If we choose to ignore their care, aren't we ignoring our own heart? If we go to bed at night turning the other cheek to a pet who can bring us joy and teach us love then how good can we sleep? What is the voice saying in our heads? What is the guilt doing to our souls, our health?
ReplyDeleteWe must always do the right thing. This is what being on this planet is all about. Doing the right things at all costs. Yes, this means, taking proper care of our pets, our children, ourselves, our neighbors, the earth. Even if it means surrendering to the fact that, at this time of our life we can't do something right and allowing someone to help us. Asking for help or giving up ownership to someone who can do a better job is sometimes the most rewarding and giving thing a person can do.
I am hopeful that the lady who owns these dogs will be prepared to accept your offer of help to find new and loving homes for them. Like someone said earlier, we all need help from time to time, hopefully this lady can find it in herself to accept this and allow these two dogs a better life.
ReplyDeleteI live on Saint Simons and I know the address and owner you speak of. Many of us have spoken to her and expressed their concern. If this was a child, the child would be removed but unfortunately all the law requires of us is to provide the minimum care.
ReplyDeleteIt takes courage to do what you are doing Kim. Thank goodness. It also takes courage for your neighbor to acknowledge that what she is doing, even if she thinks her intentions are good, is hurtful. I am hoping that she will be open to new information so that everyone can live a decent, healthy life. Thank you again for the opportunity to address this.
Kim, You have always placed animals first and I only hope this woman can find her way to do the same. I am truly hopeful she will find it in her heart to let these poor creatures go to someone who can care for them in a safer and freer environment. Please keep me posted.
ReplyDeleteYou have always put our four legged friends first. I hope this woman can find it in her heart to do the same and let them go to someone who can give them the care a freedom they deserve.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Barbara--well stated. I pray that the owner of the dogs reconsiders and allows you to help provide a comfortable environment for these dogs. Please keep us posted. xx
ReplyDeleteI adopted my Bella from Kim and she is the most loving & caring person I have met when it comes to dogs. She has kept in touch about Bella's well being and even kept her for a week while we vacationed so she could visit with her. Animals do not need to suffer or live in poor conditions when a caring individual such as Kim will give them or find them a good home.
ReplyDelete